Bikers plan event to honor sheriff's deputies

Published: Saturday, September 6, 2003 at 10:13 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, September 6, 2003 at 12:00 a.m.

Motorcycle enthusiasts from four Davidson County organizations will take time on Sunday to honor the two sheriff's deputies who help keep them safe and on the road.

Facts

Want to attend?

A dinner to honor deputies Lt. Bob Meachum and Cpl. Ronnie Foster will be held at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Prime Sirloin on Radio Drive. For more information, contact Wayne or Jamie Felker at 746-4405.

Lt. Bob Meachum and Cpl. Ronnie Foster, who make up the motor squad at the Davidson County Sheriff's Office, have spent years escorting charity motorcycle rides. Now, local bike riders want to give something back to them.

The local groups will host a dinner for the deputies Sunday at the Prime Sirloin restaurant on Radio Drive in Lexington. The event is organized by Silver Valley motorcyclist Wayne Felker and members of the High Rock Lake Southern Cruisers, N.C. Retreads, the Lexington-area Shriner's Club and the Davidson County Concerned Bikers Association.

Wayne Felker's wife, fellow bike rider Jamie Felker, estimated that the deputies oversee at least 10 charity bike rides a year, including Matthew's Ride, a ride for Special Olympics, rides to collect food for the needy, a Shriner's Club ride and a Toys For Tots ride.

"They always escort all of our rides," she said. "They're really good about doing the rides for us and protecting us... We can always depend on them."

On Aug. 23, for example, the deputies protected a bike ride early in the morning. Instead of returning home when the ride was over, the deputies switched locations and escorted an 11 a.m. ride for the Special Olympics of North Carolina.

Without the protection of the deputies, who escort the riders while riding motorcycles themselves, the motorcyclists stand a greater risk of being hit by passing traffic, Jamie Felker said.

"They risk their lives to save ours," she said. "We've had some close calls sometimes because people in cars just don't realize what's going on."

The dinner is open to the public.

Rachel Leonard may be reached at 249-3981, ext. 228, or at rachel.leonard@the-dispatch.com.

<p>Motorcycle enthusiasts from four Davidson County organizations will take time on Sunday to honor the two sheriff's deputies who help keep them safe and on the road.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>Lt. Bob Meachum and Cpl. Ronnie Foster, who make up the motor squad at the Davidson County Sheriff's Office, have spent years escorting charity motorcycle rides. Now, local bike riders want to give something back to them.</p><p>The local groups will host a dinner for the deputies Sunday at the Prime Sirloin restaurant on Radio Drive in Lexington. The event is organized by Silver Valley motorcyclist Wayne Felker and members of the High Rock Lake Southern Cruisers, N.C. Retreads, the Lexington-area Shriner's Club and the Davidson County Concerned Bikers Association.</p><p>Wayne Felker's wife, fellow bike rider Jamie Felker, estimated that the deputies oversee at least 10 charity bike rides a year, including Matthew's Ride, a ride for Special Olympics, rides to collect food for the needy, a Shriner's Club ride and a Toys For Tots ride.</p><p>"They always escort all of our rides," she said. "They're really good about doing the rides for us and protecting us... We can always depend on them."</p><p>On Aug. 23, for example, the deputies protected a bike ride early in the morning. Instead of returning home when the ride was over, the deputies switched locations and escorted an 11 a.m. ride for the Special Olympics of North Carolina.</p><p>Without the protection of the deputies, who escort the riders while riding motorcycles themselves, the motorcyclists stand a greater risk of being hit by passing traffic, Jamie Felker said.</p><p>"They risk their lives to save ours," she said. "We've had some close calls sometimes because people in cars just don't realize what's going on."</p><p>The dinner is open to the public.</p><p>Rachel Leonard may be reached at 249-3981, ext. 228, or at rachel.leonard@the-dispatch.com.</p>